Shoe-button tool.



W. A. BERNARD.

SHOE BUTTON TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1913.

1,090,191. I Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

2 BHEETB-BHEBT 1.

jaw/Z55 wkeof W. A. BERNARD.

SHOE BUTTON TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED APR.22,1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

fitesses. tfiw'e/zzz 4 a 522 d 94L 6.. GM M f7 ATES WILLIAM A. BERNARD, 01'" NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILLIAM SCI-IOLLI-IORN COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

SHOE-BUTTON TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Original application filed November 20, 1912, Serial No. 732,550. Divided and this application filed April To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Wmnmiu: A. lijnnnann, a citizen of the United States, residing in New Haven, county of New Haven, and titate of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Button Tools, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to shoe button tools of the general type described in my application filed November 20, 1912, Serial No. 732,550, of which the present application is a division.

The primary objects of the invention are the production of a handy, convenient and efficient device for applying buttons to shoes or other articles by means of wire staples or the like; the provision of improved automatic means for holding a button and staple securely against displacement on one of the jaws of the tool as the latter is being operated, though permitting such button and staple to be easily placed in and removed from position when the aws are sepa ated; the provision of a tool wherein a spring which normally holds the jaws separated cooperates with a holding device for a fastoner or other work in such a manner as to simplify the construction of the tool and decrease the number of parts and the cost of manufacture; and the improvement of various general and detail features of construetion and operation in devices of the class to which my invention relates.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a tool embodying my iinprovements, the aws being in the normal open position, Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a front end elevation of the tool with. the jaws open, Fig. l is a similar view with the aws closed, Fig. is a transverse sectien adjacent the main pivot, .l igs. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary longitudinal sections, showing different stages in the operiirtion of applying a button, F 9 is an inside face view of the button and staple seating jaw, Fig. it) is a similar view with the button and staple in position, Fig. 11 is a fragn'icntary end view of Fig. 10, .lfig. 12 is an inside face view of the anvil jaw, l1ig. 13 a detail perspective view of the staple seatmg spring, and Fig. 1 .1; is a detail perspective view of the controlling member for the staple seating spring.

Referring to the drawings, the levers 30, 31, which are preferably constructed of sheet metal, are pivoted. together intermediate of their ends by a main pivot Both levers are forked at their forward portions, as customary in devices of this type, the forked portion of the lever 30 being strailillcd by the forked portion of the lever Z, adjacent the pivot. In advance of the pivot the lever 30 is formed to present an integral jaw 33 constituted by a substantially .llat inner wall 3% and parallel side walls The walls 35 are conlinuations of the fork at the forward end of said lever andthetmnsverse wall 3-1l connects them in such a manner as to create a chan neled or U-shapcd jaw. The lever 31 is similarly provided at its forward end'with a jaw 36 having side walls 38 and a connecting transverse wall 37.

The jaw 33 serves as a support for a button and staple, and the jaw 30 serves as an anvil against which the inner ends of the staple are clenched. The staple 239 is held in a seat in the jaw 33, which seat is preferably formed by depressions ll communicating with a longitudinal notch -ilO extending conipletely through the jaw at the extremity thereof. The staple 39 is placed with its intermediate portion in the transverse notches or depressions 41, while the eye 49 of the button -13 is connected therewith in the manner shown in Fig. Ill, the eye .12 being received in the end notch 40. The staple is held firmly in place in its seat by means of a tension device or spring l-l associated with the jaw 3 and having a forked end 4-53 en1- bracing or straddling the eye of the button. The spring l-t contacts with the under surface of the button and normally urges the button away from the jaw 33 with considen able force so that the staple is securely held in its seat.

The effective tension of the spring l fl- 0n the button and staple is controlled automatically as the angular relation of the levers 30, 31, is varied. This is effected by a controltill ling device such as a lever 4-6 pivoted to the jaw 83 by a pin i? and having a nose 9% to engage the intermediate portion of the spring 44.. The lever 16 is interposed between the side walls 35 of the jaw 33 and passes into the crotch 54: of the forked portion of the lever 31. The spring 4% preferably consists of a strip or leaf of spring metal having a lip 4L9 at the extremity opposite the fork 15, which lip is detachably engaged with a transverse pin 50 joining the side walls of the lever 30 and somewhat in the rear of the main pivot 32, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The intermediate portion of the spring reacts against the pivot 32 in such a manner that normally the button engaging end of the spring will be held away from the staple seat ll at a considerable distance in order to seat firmly the button and staple in the manner above described. The cont-rolling lever is held in contact with the spring by connection at its end 51 with a main controlling spring 52 which normally holds the lever handles spread apart. The lever it may be connected to the spring 52 by means of a hook at the rear end of the lever, as shown, and the opposite end of the spring 52 is connected with the handle of the lever 31 by means of a suitable fastening 53. The spring 52 normally exerts an angular pull on the lever 4H5, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l, and this pulling action on the lever not only tends to spread the jaws of the tool but also to hold the lever in such an angular position with respect to its pivot L7, that the button holding spring le will be pressed by the nose 18 into close proximity to the staple seat, as shown in Fig. 6. As the lever handles are pressed together, however, in opposition to the spring 52, the lever 16 will be engaged by the crotch portion 54: of the lever 31, where by the lever 46 will be pivotally swung to release the spring at and permit said spring to seat firmly the button and staple.

It will be understood from the foregoing, that the jaw 83 serves as a support for the button and staple and also as a support for the controlling device 46 of the staple seating spring. Moreover, the latter device (46) serves the additional function of connecting the jaw separating spring to one of the lever handles and its jaw. The tendency of the spring 52 is to approach the fastening device 53 and the pivot 4E7 relatively to each other as far as possible and thereby spread the jaws, and the connecting points 53 and t?" are separated by the closing of the jaws, the spring will quickly pull the jaws apart as soon as the handles are released.

The op ration of the tool. in applying buttons is substantially as follows: The button and staple are placed in the jaw 33 in the manner previously described while the jaws 83, 36, are separated. At this time the lever 46 will press the spring 44 toward the staple seat so that the connected button andstaple may be easily seated. 'The levers 80, 31 are then pressed toward each other to a certain extent and the lever 46 will be swung to release the spring as so that the button and staple may be released by the operator, the spring being permitted to act and thereby preventing the displacement of the button and staple. The'portion of the shoe or other article to which the button is tobe attached is then interposed between the jaws 33, 36 in the manner shown in Fig. 7, and said jaws are then brought together forcibly on the leather or other material, which will be pierced by the respective ends of the staple- As the staple ends are forced into contact with a suitably shaped anvil portion 66 (Fig. 12) of the jaw 36, they will be turned in and tightly clenched against the inner surface of the leather. Hence the button will be securely attached to'the leather, and as the handle levers are released by the operator to open the main aws, the nose 48 of the controlling device 46 will press the spring 4 1 toward the staple seat and thereby permit the tool to be easily released from the button and staple.

Of course, I have not attempted to illustrate and describe the numerous modifications of the construct-ion which may be adopted without digressing from my inventive idea as expressed in the claims. Moreover, the utility of the tool is not limited to the specific application which I have described and my claims are intended to cover such obvious changes of the construction as will adapt the device to hold and operate on work other than buttons.

What I claim is:

1. In a tool for applying buttons to shoes and the like, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each. other one of said jaws having a staple seat, a spring cooperating with said. seat to hold a staple-connected button in place in the jaw, and means carried by the jaw having the staple seat to automatically push said spring into button releasing position as the jaws are opened and to release the spring as the jaws are closed; substantially as described.

2. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having jaws in advance of the pivot, a button seating spring associated with one of said jaws, and a device carried by said jaw and engaging the other lever member to vary the action of said spring automatically as the jaws are brought together and separated; substantially as described.

3. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having cooperating jaws, a button seating tension member associated with one of said jaws, and a member carried by said jaw and oooperating with the other lever member to push said tension member toward its corresponding jaw as the jaws are separated; substantially as described.

t. In a tool such as described, a pair 01 pivoted lever members having cooperating jt s, a button seating tension member associated with one of said aws, and a controlling lever for said tension member pivoted to said last named jaw and movable pivotally by engagement with one of the lever members; substantially as described.

5. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having cooperating jaws, a but-ton seating spring associated with one of said jaws, and a spring controlling lever pivoted to said last named jaw and connected with the other lever member to release said spring as the jaws are brought together; substantially as described.

6. In a tool such as described, the combination of a forked lever member, a second lever member pivoted to the forked portion of the first, said lever members having cooperating jaws in ad *ance of the pivot, a button seating member associated with the jaw of said second lever member, and a controlling device for said button seating member pivoted to said last named jaw and extending into and cooperating with the crotch ot the forked portion of said first named lever member; substantially as described.

7. In a tool such as described, the combination of a forked lever member, a second lever member pivoted to the forked portion oi. the first, said members having cooperating jaws in advance of the pivot, a button seating member associated with the jaw of said second lever member, and a controlling device for said button seating member engaged with the latter and with the crotch of the fork in said first lever member; substantially as described.

8. In a tool. such as described, the combination of a forked lever member, a second lever member pivoted to the fork of the first, said members having cooperating jaws, a button seating spring associated with the jaw of said second member, and a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends to said last named jaw and engaged at one end with said spring, and at the opposite end, with the crotch of the forked portion of said first named lever member; substantially as described.

9. In a tool such as described, the COIIL bination of lever members having jaws at their forward extremities, a pivot connecting said lever members intermediate of their ends, and a button seating spring associated with one of the jaws and reacting against said pivot; substantially as described.

10. In a tool such as described, the combination of lever members having jaws at their forward extremities, a pivot connect ing said lever members intermediate oi their ends, and a detachable button seating spring associated with one of the jaws and reacting intermediatcly of its length against said pivot; substantially as described.

1.1. In a tool such as deeribed, the combination of lever members having jaws, a pivot connecting said lever members, a pin carried by one of said lever members, and a button seating spring associated with one 01 said jaws and reacting against said pin and against said pivot; substantially as described.

12. In a tool such as described, a pair of lever members having aws, a pivot connecting said lever members, a pin carried by one oi? said lever members, and a button seating spring associated with one of said jaws and reacting intermediately of its length against said ivot and having a lip at one extremity detac iably seated on said pin; substantially as described.

13. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having jaws, a spring for holding the jaws apart, a button seating spring associated with one of said jaws, and a member for controlling said button seating spring, connecting the jaw separating spring with one of said lever members; substantially as described.

It. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having jaws, a button seating spring associated with one of said jaws, a jaw separating spring connected with the handle portion of one of said lever members, and a single member which regulates the tension of said button seating spring and connects said jaw separating spring with the jaw of the other lever member; substantially as described.

15. In a tool such as described, a pair of pivoted lever members having jaws, a button seating spring associated with one of said jaws, a lever pivoted to said jaw and bearing against said spring, and a jaw separating spring connecting said lever with the handle portion of the other lever member; substantially as described.

16. In a tool such as described, the combination of a pair of jaws, a holding device associated with one of said jaws, and mechanism for separating said jaws, acting directly on said holding device to control the same; substantially as described.

17. In a tool such as described, a pair of lever men'ibers having jaws, a holding device associated with one of said jaws, and spring mechanism for normally separating said jaws, arranged to operatively engage said holding device to control the same; substantially as described,

18. In a tool such as described, the combination of a pair of jaws, a holding device associated with one of said jaws, and spring mechanism for normally holding the jaws separated, arranged to operatively engage said holding device; substantially as described. V

19. The combination of cooperating jaws, a holding device associated with one of said jaws, a controller for said holding device, and means acting through said controller for separating the jaws; substantially as described.

20. Means for applying fasteners or the like, comprising a pair of jaws, a device associated with one of said jaws for holding a fastener, having a clamping position and a releasing position, and spring mechanism normally separating said jaws and having a part acting directly on said holding device; substantially as described.

21. Means for applying fasteners and the like, comprising a pair of jaws, a spring associated with one of said jaws and tend ing to hold the fastener securely in position, and spring mechanism normally separating said jaws and having a part acting directly on said spring to hold it in a. position to release the fastener; substantially as described.

22. Means for applying fasteners and the like, comprising pivoted lever members having jaws in advance of the pivot, a fastenerseating spring associated with one of said jaws, and a pushing device carried by said jaw for releasing said spring and operated automatically by the pivotal movement of said lever members; substantially as de scribed.

23. In a tool such as described, the combination of a forked lever member, a second lever member pivoted to the forked portion of the first, said members having cooperating jaws in advance of the pivot, a holding member associated with the jaw of said second lever member, a controlling device for said holding member, engaged with the forked portion of the first lever member, and means for yieldingly holding said controlling device in engagement with said forked portion; substantially as described.

2%. In a tool such as described, the combination of pivoted lever members having jaws, a holding spring associated with one of said jaws and cooperating therewith, a device for varying the action of said holding spring, and a jaw separating spring connecting said device with one of said lever members; substantially as described.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand on the 21st day of April, 1913.

WILLIAM A. BERNARD.

Witnesses HENRY E. ROCKWELL, M. OLIVE VVILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ZPatents, Washington, D. C. 

